Kwankwaso inaugurates TB treament centre

The Federal Government with Kano State Government has inaugurated an ultra-modern Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis treatment Centre in Kano, a statement said.

The statement was issued by Malam Halilu Dantiye, the Director of Press and Public Relations to the Governor, in Kano.

It said the centre was located within the premises of the Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH) in Kano city.

Speaking at the event, Governor Rabi’u Kwankwaso said the project was the first of its kind in Northern Nigeria, constructed by the Federal Ministry of Health, and equipped by Kano State Government.

Kwankwaso said the action was to further coordinate efforts to curb the menace of tuberculosis, which was still prevalent in some developing countries, including Nigeria.

He promised that his administration would work closely with international donor agencies and other groups toward improving the wellbeing of residents in the state.

The governor urged members of staff of IDH to ensure effective management of the tuberculosis centre and to keep the hospital tidy at all times.

The Minister of Health, Dr Onyebuchi Chukwu, represented by Dr Joshua Obasanye at the event , said the World Health Organisation in its 2012 report estimated that 3,491 Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis cases occurred in Nigeria annually.

He said that the establishment of the new centre in Kano would go a long way in minimising its prevalence.

The minister emphasised that the Federal Ministry of Health with all its partners would continue to provide the necessary funds and technical support for the control of diseases.